Post on 22-Apr-2023
1 | P a g e Passive Solar Energy Efficiency in Onder Commercial Building, Famagusta, North Cyprus
Passive Solar Energy Efficiency in Onder Commercial Building, Famagusta
Soheil Ghaderi
Department of Architecture, Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta, Turkish Republic of North Cyprus
E-mail: ghaderi.arc@gmail.com
Abstract:
Passive solar energy is actually the principle design aspect has been playing a significant role in
architecture in the recent years. Commercial buildings because of their large spaces have been high-
energy consumption, although by taking benefits of passive solar strategies, energy consumption
reduction in these kinds of buildings will result to cost decrease as much as possible. The microclimate
also environmental conditions generally both known to get physical and emotional influence on human
and, as a result, of main importance in building design improvement.
The purpose of this study is to focus on energy efficiency in Onder Commercial building in Famagusta,
Northern Cyprus. This paper provides standards and proper information for better organization in pre-
design stages to create energy efficient buildings to make comfort zone inside by the help of applicable
passive solar energy strategies in commercial buildings.
Passive solar design is unique and essential concept for designing which can be used in Cyprus
commercial buildings. The necessity of designing on the passive solar is that Cyprus has not any kind of
energy sources by its own self. As the passive solar energy approaches and climatic characteristics of
Famagusta located in the northern hemisphere, the building ought to be orientated due to north-south. The
reason for this method is actually south facade creates the best vertical surface to take advantages of
passive solar energy. Proper sun shading devices by the aid of plants and trees at the west and east of the
building, will improve energy consumption in summer. Furthermore, the correct use of south facade for
windows, and minimizing the windows on the west and east facade are some solutions to have comfort
inside in cold months. Utilization of double or triple glazing windows is another solution to prevent heat
loss of interior spaces in winter. Besides, the cost reduction of energy consumption can be another priority
for using of passive methods in commercial building. In addition, optimum ventilation will accomplish by
correct usage of small opening in north facade of the commercial buildings. By applying these strategies,
customers and employees will enjoy of indoor comfort condition in both hot and cold seasons.
Keywords: passive solar techniques, commercial building, energy efficiency, sustainability
1.Introduction
Passive solar design can be defined as the
utilization of local climate features with sun’s
energy as well as selected construction materials
in order to proper suitable condition in the
building (Morrissey,J.,2010).
The using of passive solar energy method is one
necessary factor in designing commercial
building within the Cyprus Island. Cyprus
should use renewable energy instead of fossil
fuel. These types of sources are replenishing by
themselves.
Preparing comfortable condition in the building
by passive solar energy depends on some
factors. The correct use of windows, double or
triple glazing, sun shading devices, orientation
of the building and some other factors can
creates proper indoor natural ventilation, natural
light and satisfaction feeling in the hot and cold
seasons in the building.
2 | P a g e Passive Solar Energy Efficiency in Onder Commercial Building, Famagusta, North Cyprus
1.1. Research problem
In fact, commercial buildings expend a lot of
energy in Gazimagusa. There is major
problem due to high rate of energy usage and
also financial issues in commercial buildings.
Passive solar strategy prepares many
advantageous for one commercial building. It
will be considered with the aid of
methodology determined by problem solving.
1.2. Research question
How can the passive solar energy develop the
energy efficiency in Onder commercial
building?
1.3. Case study Onder commercial building, Esref Bitlis Cd
Street, Salamis Street, Famagusta
2. Literature review
2.1. Passive solar energy
Passive solar energy is one technique that
decides to use of natural processes, such as
radiation, convention, and also conduction, to
help distribute thermal heat has given by the sun.
Passive solar energy additionally consists of
preventing the sun’s radiation in order to supply
cooling through the summer time(Brainbridge,
D.,2011).In the other word, the methods
regarding passive solar energy are actually
reduce the consumption involving cooling,
heating, lighting and also ventilation
(Stevanovic, S.,2013). The idea of passive solar
could possibly depends upon numerous aspects
including forms, insulation of floors, wall
structure, glazing kind, orientation, shading
device and also the percentage of openings on
the wall and ect (Stevanovic, S.,2013).
Structures with passive solar method naturally
make the use of the sun without cost heating,
cooling and also lighting with large energy
efficiency (Brainbridge, D.,2011). This
decreases the requirement to consume energy of
other resources and offers a comfortable natural
environment at interior of building. Adding the
solar energy into the buildings will certainly
reduce the actual amount of money that people
spend on energy. In addition other types of
energy will extend for long time (Yannas, S.,
1998).
Designing and creating a suitable commercial
building base on passive solar strategies, needs a
multidisciplinary design group (Lapithis, p.,
2002).
“The extensive uses of solar technologies, which
are often integral parts of the design, make the
design process different from traditional
methods. It requires the energy aspects to be
considered from the early design stage, and also
requires the architects, engineers and the clients
collaboration from the beginning. Training of
constructors and on-site supervision is
particularly important in low-energy buildings.”
(Lapithis, p., 2002).
2.2. Passive solar energy efficiency in Cyprus
The main step should be climatic information
evaluation for each energy efficient building
design (Eshraghi, J., Narjabadifam, N.,
Mirkhani, N., et al., 2014).
Using of renewable energy sources is one of the
essentiality concerns for Cyprus Island. Wind,
water, plant, and sunlight are some of the
renewable energy that can help to use the less of
fossils fuels. These kinds of resources are
generally replenishing by themselves. The
experience of using passive solar strategy shows
that the buildings can create suitable indoor
temperatures irrespective of outside condition
(Lapithis, p., 2002).
The passive solar strategies prove that one
building can obtain high thermal comfort with
designing based on low energy buildings.
Suitable inside natural ventilation and minimum
environmental effect are some other positive
influences of the passive solar strategy. With
3 | P a g e Passive Solar Energy Efficiency in Onder Commercial Building, Famagusta, North Cyprus
considering the area climate and physical
qualities in the building materials, as well as use
from the basic principles regarding temperature
transfer, will create the actual manage of the
comfort condition indoor of the buildings. It
works even actually within places with normal
maximum temperature close to 31.7°C. Suitable
condition within building is possible with using
appropriate building design. Therefore, it
decreases the use of air condition in the building.
Designing the building by cooling passive
methods should be considered at Cyprus island,
because the large utilization of air conditioning
devices (Lapithis, p., 2002).
Ozone layer destruction, High energy
consumption especially in summer time, as well
as higher peak electricity requirements are some
of the bad influences from large utilization of air
conditioning at buildings. And also it enhances
indices of diseases signs, like headache, dry
eyes. Furthermore, installing the air conditioning
devices, operation and preservation make an
additional charge inside the buildings. Charges
for importation of air conditioning devices in hot
weather areas show a high rate of product sales
in air conditioning systems (Lapithis, p., 2002).
2.3. Direct gain
Buildings can improve their function by using of
passive solar energy without spending
considerable money to constructing them. Direct
gain, insolated gain and indirect gain are tree
guidelines of passive solar energy. Direct gain is
proper strategy between other strategies for this
climate. Direct gain has some advantageous for
the buildings. In fact with direct gain, building
can achieve the direct solar radiation. The
correct form of windows and roof monitor for
facing to the sunlight are significant factors for
direct solar strategy. Roof monitor has the
ability to achieve direct solar radiation to
building’s spaces that do not have proper sun
lighting (Lapithis, p., 2002).
2.3.1. Benefits of direct gain
The direct gain is easiest guideline in the passive
solar strategy that buildings can use for lighting
and heating. The entire technique is the least
expensive strategies of solar area heating. The
buildings with large parts of glazing not just
achieve solar radiation regarding heat system but
additionally large amount of daylight as well as
great visual condition to the exterior. Along with
sufficient insulation material from the buildings,
it will be able to depend entirely in direct obtain
as a passive solar method applied in the Cyprus
(Lapithis, p., 2002).
2.3.2. Disadvantage of direct gain
There is one main disadvantage for direct gain
strategy. Designers can improve the buildings
with understanding the disadvantageous of direct
gain strategy. According to the passive solar
method, the windows on the south facade should
be large, because, they can achieved the
maximum solar radiation for heating in the
winter time. But, in the other hand, this
characteristic can create problem in the summer
time. These large windows cause over heating in
the summer. The overheating problem
especially increases in the end of summer time
(Lapithis, p., 2002).
Shading devices are the easiest protection from
overheating. The shading device system
prevents the majority of the diffused as well as
the reflected solar rays. Hinged shutters exterior
of the glazing and also roll able are some
example of sun shading devices. One more
choice for preventing the radiation is internal
covered panels, with white painted at the
external surface (Lapithis, p., 2002).
4 | P a g e Passive Solar Energy Efficiency in Onder Commercial Building, Famagusta, North Cyprus
2.4. Sun shading
Designing based on energy efficient includes
some factors. Enhancing thermal comfort,
consideration of sufficient lighting and, shading
for prohibit of overheating are some of these
factors. Utilization of passive heating and
cooling can considerably lead to decreasing the
entire energy consumption. Windows have
significant role for preparing indoor heat
whether in winter and cool weather in summer
time. Based on passive solar energy, windows
should be appropriately shaded to prevent
overheating and also energy preserving. The
shading devices can be categorized as exterior as
well as interior devices. They can classify for
variety of facades on the building. Kischkoweit-
Lopin analyzed several passive solar techniques.
For instance, shading devices impacting
daylighting inside the buildings was one of his
researches. A summary of numerous current
sunshades has been presented with short detail
and sketches that describe to find the proper
system for the specific condition. Sun shades
will not be just for decreasing the building
temperature in hot season however, are usually
usable in order to warm up the building in the
winter time (Ralegaonkar, R. V., & Gupta, R.,
2010).
2.5. Energy efficiency and light
Sun light can be a main requirement in the
buildings especially in the cooler climate. The
sunlight is viewed as supplying light as well as
warmth. Besides, it creates areas appear bright
as well as creating a therapeutic, health
providing result (Littlefair, 2001).
Day time lighting design not just save the energy
but additionally cause airy architecture regarding
excellent beauty. Actually, nowadays light has
developed into a main subject within energy
design, beside passive solar cooling and heating.
Therefore, natural lighting analyses include two
parts: energy efficiency and also day light in the
building (Zain-Ahmed, A., 2000).
2.6. Orientation and passive energy efficiency
Generally, in most areas, design leading towards
the supply regarding thermal comfort by means
of passive solar energy can decrease the active
manage requirements, as well as reduce energy
consumption. Proper passive solar design must
evaluate essential building factors for instance
plan proportion, form, and building orientation.
Between these parameters, proper orientation
can be the basic standard and also most simply
part of passive solar design (Morrissey, J.,
2010).
solar glazing can be one effective way in the
passive solar energy. Solar glazing for achieving
the solar radiation need to face the winter sun, in
fact it is possible with correct orientation of
building. Appropriate orientation is actually a
successful method to reduce energy
consumption. Moreover, possibility of additional
savings from sophisticated solar methods can be
another benefit of proper orientation. Besides,
Orientation can be important for the
improvement of scale. The relation between site
planning and the building orientation as well as
building design create a considerable effect for
the energy consumption in the building
(Morrissey, J., 2010).
It is obvious which useful solar radiation as
necessary by passive solar performance, is a
dynamic perform regarding building geometry,
orientation, thermal mass, heat transfer systems
as well as glazing percentage.
Furthermore, accessible passive solar energy
from any kind of given area is affected by
existing climate as well as regional topography
(Morrissey, J., 2010).
In addition it will obtain the advantages of
struggling with the east-west direction to be able
to capitalizing on solar penetration where ever
5 | P a g e Passive Solar Energy Efficiency in Onder Commercial Building, Famagusta, North Cyprus
possible by help from thermal mass (Turner, W.
C., 1980).
2.7. Shape and size
One key factor in passive solar layout is actually
to have oblong cube and also with compact
pattern in order to save the radiation. Cubic form
provides the greater volume than oblong form. It
implies thermal comfort connection with human
health can be suitable in cubic form. Another
main factor is actually concerning actual
percentage from windows region to floor region.
It is significant influences on proper designed
for wall structure to enhance the energy
efficiency (Turner, W. C., 1980).
3. Field study
Problem solving is the methodology that used in
this article. All data collected in four categories.
They included of personal observation, analyses
by maps, questionnaires and interview. The
questionnaires were from 20 people (men and
women). And also these included of 15
customers and 5 employees who work in Onder
commercial building, Famagusta, North Cyprus.
The interview from two experienced architects
in this subject was another part of data
collection.
3.1. Personal observations
Observation is by photography of Onder
commercial building. As it can be seen in the
(Figure 2) Onder commercial building does not
have any sky light for achieving the solar
radiation from the roof. The benefits of sky light
is utilization of natural light at indoor of the
building and increasing the heat temperature in
the winter time. In addition, with using a
suitable atrium or sky light, the building can
achieve another advantageous. In fact, this
strategy can prepare natural ventilation at the
building.
Figure 1: The exterior surface from Onder
commercial building (Taken by author 2014)
Figure 2: The roof view from Onder commercial
building (Taken by author 2014)
Figure 3: The interior view from Onder commercial
building (Taken by author 2014)
6 | P a g e Passive Solar Energy Efficiency in Onder Commercial Building, Famagusta, North Cyprus
A not suitable window on the south facade is
another important matter that understandable
from personal observation. Having a large area
of windows at south façade in the building is one
significant guideline of passive solar energy. In
addition, with using of double or triple glazed
windows, the commercial building minimizes
the heat loss in the winter.
Figure 4: The interior view from Onder commercial
building (Taken by author 2014)
Bringing the fresh air in the commercial building
is possible by using of a correct act from natural
ventilation system. The building will achieve
proper cooling weather with suitable utilization
of parallel windows in the summer. Besides, one
suitable atrium aid to hot weather change the
situation to up and cold weather remaining in
down level.
Using balcony or shading devices in horizontal
orientation help to block penetration of solar
radiation into the commercial building in the
summer time. Therefore prepare suitable cool
indoor temperature in summer.
3.2. Analyses by maps
As maps show the exact direction of the
building, south west and south east have the best
orientation for achieving the solar radiation for
day lighting as well as heating system in winter
time (Figure 5 and Figure 6).
Figure 5: Area of study (Retrieved from Google earth
Cyprus/Famagusta/Onder commercial building/19
march, 2014) URL1
Figure 6: Sketch of the Onder commercial building
(source: Author)
Has been determined by the weather of the
Cyprus, the proper utilization of thermal mass is
on the south façade, because, the south façade
has the maximum absorbing solar radiation.
Furthermore, shading device at south facade is
the solution for prohibiting of overheating in the
summer time. And also, Glass wool is another
suitable insulation material to create comfort
temperature in the summer and winter time.
7 | P a g e Passive Solar Energy Efficiency in Onder Commercial Building, Famagusta, North Cyprus
3.3. Questionnaires:
The close ended questions in the questioners
divided into five categories for finding correct
result from the employees and customers. The
questions include of satisfaction of indoor
temperature in winter, satisfaction of indoor
temperature in summer, natural light, interior
ventilation and insulation. These questions help
to perceive how people feel in the Onder
commercial building and what passive
guidelines help to the building to improve.
3.4. Interview
Interviews prepare to attain efficient information
for better condition of passive solar design at
Cyprus buildings. In fact, it helps the author to
perceive how the passive strategies can work at
Onder commercial building.
4. Data evaluation
Preparing suitable condition in the building is a
vital factor for the commercial building. With
correct use of passive design strategies,
customers spend more time at the commercial
building. Therefore it can be one positive point
for financial subject. In fact, one comfort
condition prepares with some items like
appropriate indoor temperature, correct use of
natural lighting, proper indoor ventilation, etc.
4.1. Suitable indoor temperature in summer
Based on the following charts, it can be
understood that the most of people are not
satisfied from indoor temperature at hot weather
in the summer time.
Figure 7: hot feeling at winter time
Sun shading, trees and plants can help to the
building to prepare a better condition for
activity. The next chart shows result of having
suitable sun shading device on the commercial
building. As a result of the chart (Figure 8), it is
understandable that building does not have any
suitable sun shading devices.
Figure 8: Existing sun shading
In the next chart (Figure 9), it can be understood
just five people from twenty people are
approximately satisfied of indoor temperature in
the commercial building during the summer
time.
Figure 9: Hot feeling at winter time
8 | P a g e Passive Solar Energy Efficiency in Onder Commercial Building, Famagusta, North Cyprus
This building will be better to use proper sun
shading devices. Trees and plants in the east and
west orientation for avoiding penetration of solar
radiation is another effective solution for
suitable weather in summer
4.2 Suitable indoor temperatures in winter
Feeling comfort in the cold seasons of the year is
one important factor for designing public
buildings such as commercial buildings. As the
following charts (Figure 10), most of the people
12 out of 20 are not satisfied of the interior
weather in the winter.
Figure10: Cold feeling at winter time
Double and triple glazed windows and triple
glazed windows can help to achieve better
indoor condition in winter time. As the
following chart (Figure 11), the windows do not
adequate with energy efficiency.
Figure.11: Design of windows based on energy
efficiency
4.3 Natural lighting
Nobody can ever deny the importance of natural
light in the human health. Commercial buildings
can have properly natural lighting with correct
use of the passive solar energy strategies.
Natural light is necessary for public building like
commercial building, because the natural light
increases comfort zone for costumers and
specially employees that work these buildings.
In addition, the commercial buildings can
decrease the energy consumption by using
natural light instead of artificial light. And also,
designing in this way has financial advantageous
for the commercial buildings. As it was
determined by personal observation, the Onder
commercial building is using a lot of artificial
lighting. Based on following chart
(Figure 12), 14 out of 20 are not satisfied of
natural lighting, the reason for this is the
orientation of the building. It should be east-
west axis. In the other word, the building does
not use correctly of south façade for achieving
the natural light.
Figure12: Dissatisfaction of natural light
4.4. Natural ventilation
According to the below charts, most of
costumers are not satisfied of natural ventilation.
This problem can be solved easily by using the
correct way of opening. The building will have
appropriate ventilation with using small
windows on the north and south facades. These
solutions help to the ventilation of commercial
9 | P a g e Passive Solar Energy Efficiency in Onder Commercial Building, Famagusta, North Cyprus
building based on cross ventilation law.
Furthermore, using the atrium creates fresh air in
the building, and also the building can use of the
atrium for penetration the natural light in the
building.
As a result of the following chart (Figure 13), 13
out of 20 are not satisfied of the interior natural
ventilation.
Figure13: Dissatisfaction of natural ventilation
Commercial building can create a suitable
condition with using small opening on the north
façade. Although this building has some
windows on the north façade, most of them
cannot be opened. With using them in correct
way, this method can circulate air in Onder
commercial building.
4.5. Insulation
Prohibiting heat losses is the necessary reason
for using suitable thermal insulation in the
building. However walls and floors usually act
significant role, thermal insulation should be
used at walls, roof, floors and windows.
According to the chart (Figure 14), the highest
suitable insulation existed in the wall.
Figure14: Insulation in different part of the Onder
commercial building
Conclusion
In brief, passive solar design normally takes
benefits of the building’s position, material, and
also climate to reduce the consumption of the
energy. A correct passive solar design minimizes
cooling and heating loads by using of energy
efficiency strategies. Moreover, one passive
solar commercial building applies good
strategies for having suitable natural light and
ventilation in the building.
As the questioners explained the natural interior
ventilation is not suitable for people in the
Onder commercial building. Also, there is not
completely satisfying of the indoor weather in
the summer and winter. Dissatisfying of natural
light is another result from the questioners.
With doing some logical measures of the passive
solar energy, the commercial building will have
an appropriate natural light. The orientation of
the building and correct use of south facade for
windows are the solutions for having proper
natural light and suitable interior weather in
winter in the building. With using the principal
windows on the south facade, minimizing the
openings in the east and west facade, and also by
using double or triple glazed windows, the
building will achieve a comfort condition in
winter season. With using appropriate sun
shading, plants and trees on the west and east
part of the building for prevention of solar
10 | P a g e Passive Solar Energy Efficiency in Onder Commercial Building, Famagusta, North Cyprus
radiation, the building will have comfort indoor
weather in summer.
At last but not least, appropriated interior
ventilation is achievable by correct using of
small openings on the north facade of the
commercial building. Although the Onder
commercial building has some windows on the
north facade, most of them cannot be opened.
By using them in a correct way, this method can
circulate air in Onder commercial building.
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URL1: https://maps.google.com